by Cole Heath & KREM.com

KREM.com

Posted on January 31, 2012 at 6:24 PM

POST FALLS, Idaho – Hundreds of new jobs in Post Falls, Idaho are almost available.  Mining equipment manufacturer Ground Force will open their new state of the art facility in just a few months.

KREM 2’s Cole Heath got the opportunity to tour the 85,000 square foot shop Tuesday.  He says it is huge and will soon be filled with all sorts of people being put back to work.

Officials say crews are already busy making all kinds of heavy-duty mining equipment.  They say a larger facility and additional crews are needed.

Officials say Ground Force will open the massive workshop in April.

CEO Ron Nilson says the new building is only about 50% complete at this point.  He says hundreds of new employees will be making the heavy-duty rigs when the building is complete.

Responsibility:

Responsible for the setup and operation of conventional lathes and milling machines according to drawing specifications or by direction of the Lead and/​or Supervisor.

Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma (or equivalent);
2. Suggested three (3) press brake experience or other related disciplines as evidenced by employment history, training, certification, personal interview and/or practical tests as required.
3. SKILLS – the ability to correctly identify dimensions and directions from blueprints. Select correct tooling and set up machines. Ability to run a manual lathe, mill, drill and saw safely, accurately and efficiently. Able to perform quality work (the first time) with adherence to safe work practices at all times. Ability to run shear and brake is preferred.
4. KNOWLEDGE – the ability to read, interpret and follow drawings / blue prints is essential. In addition, must be able to perform calculations and solve practical problems related to the fabrication of metal assemblies. Specific knowledge requirements include the methods, techniques, materials and tools used in metal fabrication and welding as described above in SKILLS.

Job Duties:

1. Ensure that all work performed is properly performed, inspected and documented in accordance with Company policy and procedure as well as customer expectations.
2. Maintain the pace of production in their area of responsibility. BE AWARE AT ALL TIMES OF JOB DEADLINES!
3. Ensure that the Lead is fully informed of the progress of the work under his supervision, including immediately notifying the Lead of problems that could result in work delays.
4. Maintain an eye for safety and non-compliance issues. Immediate intervention in all unsafe / non-compliant activities is expected including immediately notifying the Lead of the problem!
5. Review Job Master Work Authorizations, Drawings, Notes and Change Orders in order to continually ensure that work being performed complies with specifications.
6. Maintain a clean, safe and orderly work area. This is to include ensuring that parts and materials are properly controlled, shop supplies and tools are put away when not in use and any other items related to overall shop cleanliness.
7. Coordinate work in progress with other personnel as required, including on-coming personnel during day to day shift changes.
8. Coordinate with the Lead and Quality Control to ensure the timely performance of required inspection functions.
9. Ensure the efficient use of the time, tools and materials assigned to him.
10. Ensure that all labor and materials used are allocated to the correct Job.
11. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Lead.

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On Thursday, December 1, 2011, the OEM Solutions Group hosted a viewing of a Ground Force Fuel & Lube Truck (GF40FLT) in front of CATERPILLAR® CORPORATE in Peoria.
This truck is the first to utilize CAT’s new 740B AT chassis.

“We thank GFM for partnering with Caterpillar dealers around the World to market, sell and service their equipment. We thank you for your business and loyalty to Caterpillar and to our Caterpillar dealers.”
Doug Oberhelman – CEO, Caterpillar

“My experience with Ground Force Manufacturing is that they exhibit genuine loyalty and respect for all things Caterpillar. Where there’s a suitable Cat machine, they will only produce products based on Caterpillar, which they sell exclusively through Cat Dealers. Ground Force is dedicated to being a premier Cat OEM for Mining Support Equipment.”
Chris Chadwick – General Manager, OEM Solutions, Caterpillar

Ground Force Manufacturing was proud to showcase the 40FLT to all the employees at Caterpillar and the thrilled to get the gleaming approval from the companies top executives. Included in the executives that were at the viewing were Caterpillar CEO, Doug Oberhelman; Caterpillar Group President, Steve Wunning; and Cat Diversified Products Division Vice President, Bill Springer. Ground Force is honored to be given this opportunity to showcase the Ground Force Fuel & Lube Truck to all the leadership and administration at Caterpillar headquarters in Peoria.

Pictured:
Luke Stavros – Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ground Force Manufacturing
Doug Oberhelman – CEO, Caterpillar
Ron Nilson – CEO/President, Ground Force Manufacturing
Chris Chadwick – General Manager, OEM Solutions, Caterpillar

Building Relationships – A CAT solution for over 25 years

For more than a quarter of a century, Ground Force Manufacturing (GFM) has been designing and building mine support equipment to meet your specific application requirements. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for Caterpillar, GFM partners solely with Cat dealers around the world to market, sell and service our equipment. Our experienced professionals use state-of-the-art modeling tools, customer input, and years of knowledge and innovation to give you the quality, durability and performance to meet your toughest demands …and the service to back it all up. We are one of the largest manufacturers of custom bodies for Cat AT chassis and fuel-lube bodies on Cat rigid frame chassis. GFM builds the world’s largest Fuel & Lube Truck (based on a Cat 789 chassis), the world’s largest Water Truck (60,000-gallon based on a Cat 793 chassis), and the world’s largest Cable Reel Truck.

Responsibility:

Responsible for the preparation and operation of the brake machine to fold, roll up or straighten sheets of metal according to drawing specifications or by direction of the Lead and/​or Supervisor.

Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma (or equivalent);
2. Suggested three (3) press brake experience or other related disciplines as evidenced by employment history, training, certification, personal interview and/or practical tests as required.
3. SKILLS – the ability to correctly identify dimensions and directions for formatting according to blueprints, select, position and align the V die in the machine according to the set up sheets, verify angles and dimensions of the work pieces, perform specific technical tasks using standard equipment used in metal fabrication such as grinders, drills, saws, etc. performing quality work (the first time) with adherence to safe work practices at all times. In addition, the ability to work in a flexible environment while interacting with other disciplines (engineering, assembly, stores, etc) and adapting to changing work priorities are essential.
4. KNOWLEDGE – the ability to read, interpret and follow drawings / blue prints is essential. In addition, must be able to perform calculations and solve practical problems related to the fabrication of metal assemblies. Specific knowledge requirements include the methods, techniques, materials and tools used in metal fabrication and welding as described above in SKILLS.

Job Duties:

1. Ensure that all work performed is properly performed, inspected and documented in accordance with Company policy and procedure as well as customer expectations.
2. Maintain the pace of production in their area of responsibility. BE AWARE AT ALL TIMES OF JOB DEADLINES!
3. Ensure that the Lead is fully informed of the progress of the work under his supervision, including immediately notifying the Lead of problems that could result in work delays.
4. Maintain an eye for safety and non-compliance issues. Immediate intervention in all unsafe / non-compliant activities is expected including immediately notifying the Lead of the problem!
5. Review Job Master Work Authorizations, Drawings, Notes and Change Orders in order to continually ensure that work being performed complies with specifications.
6. Maintain a clean, safe and orderly work area. This is to include ensuring that parts and materials are properly controlled, shop supplies and tools are put away when not in use and any other items related to overall shop cleanliness.
7. Coordinate work in progress with other personnel as required, including on-coming personnel during day to day shift changes.
8. Coordinate with the Lead and Quality Control to ensure the timely performance of required inspection functions.
9. Ensure the efficient use of the time, tools and materials assigned to him.
10. Ensure that all labor and materials used are allocated to the correct Job.
11. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Lead.

Responsibility:
The Lead is responsible for monitoring, directing and supervising the work in their specific area of responsibility. This is to include ensuring that all work is performed in a safe manner and in accordance with Company policies and procedures.

The Lead is considered a working supervisor who will also perform the duties of the Equipment Painter as required.

Qualifications:
1. High School Diploma (or equivalent);
2. Preferred – Six (6) years experience in equipment assembly OR other related disciplines;
3. Must meet the skills / knowledge / ability requirements for an Equipment Painter;
4. Thorough knowledge of and demonstrated compliance with Company policy, procedure and performance expectations; and
5. Strong organizational and leadership skills as evidenced by on the job performance and/or previous work experience.

Job Duties:
1. Enforce the highest standards of discipline while maintaining an appropriate level of interpersonal relationships. Be mindful of the morale of those they supervise.
2. Ensure that all work performed by himself and/or his subordinates is properly performed, inspected and documented.
3. Establish and maintain the pace of production in their area of responsibility. BE AWARE AT ALL TIMES OF JOB DEADLINES!
4. Ensure that the Shop Supervisor is fully informed of the progress of the work under his supervision, including immediately notifying the Shop Supervisor of problems that could result in work delays.
5. Monitor all activities on the shop floor, maintaining an eye for safety and non-compliance issues. Immediate intervention in all unsafe / non-compliant activities is expected!
6. Review Job Master Work Authorizations, Drawings, Notes and Change Orders in order to continually ensure that work being performed complies with specifications.
7. Maintain a clean, safe and orderly work area. This is to include ensuring that parts and materials are properly controlled, shop supplies and tools are put away when not in use and any other items related to overall shop cleanliness.

Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman stands before a 777F mining truck,
which carries a payload of 100 tons. Cat, already the world’s top maker
of monster machines, is trying to establish itself as the dominant
player in developing markets. Learn More

Taken from CNN Money online.

Responsibility:
The Equipment Painter is responsible for meeting production demands by completing jobs in a timely manner with attention to producing quality work. This work will include, but may not be limited to cleaning, surface preparation (sanding, media blast, degreasing, body filling, etc.), mixing and application of paints and primers to OEM and customer specifications and decal lay-out and application.

Qualifications:
1. High School Diploma (or equivalent);
2. Preferred – Three (3) years practical experience in the painting of heavy machinery / equipment OR other related disciplines as evidenced by employment history, training, certification, personal interview and/or practical tests as required.
3. SKILLS – ability to perform specific technical tasks using normal tools used in equipment / vehicle painting such as sanders, paint sprayers, ventilation equipment, etc. The adherence to safe work practices, including the use of appropriate PPE is essential! In addition, the ability to work in a flexible environment while interacting with other disciplines (engineering, assembly, fabrication, stores, etc) and adapting to changing work priorities are essential.
4. KNOWLEDGE – the ability to read, interpret and follow drawings / blue prints is essential! Specific knowledge requirements include the methods, techniques, materials and tools used in equipment painting as described above in SKILLS.

Job Duties:
1. Ensure that all work performed is properly performed, inspected and documented in accordance with Company policy and procedure as well as customer expectations.
2. Maintain the pace of production in their area of responsibility. BE AWARE AT ALL TIMES OF JOB DEADLINES!
3. Ensure that the Lead is fully informed of the progress of the work under his supervision, including immediately notifying the Lead of problems that could result in work delays.
4. Maintain an eye for safety and non-compliance issues. Immediate intervention in all unsafe / non-compliant activities is expected including immediately notifying the Lead of the problem!
5. Review Job Master Work Authorizations, Drawings, Notes and Change Orders in order to continually ensure that work being performed complies with specifications.

“We will build bigger equipment than we build today. With the new expansion, we’re going to also go into underground mining,” CEO Ron Nilson said.Tuesday afternoon, workers prepared for a concrete pour at the new facility site that will help the company meet that goal.The new factory won’t open its doors until April, but Ground Force is already hiring.”If you are a welder, a machinist, a diesel mechanic or have hydraulics experience call Ground Force because we are hiring today,” Nilson said.Ground Force is expects to add 150 jobs in Post Falls, and 50 jobs at a second site in Plummer, Idaho.